Year Three Indigenous students in remote Territory schools are two years behind their counterparts in other rural areas around Australia.

Ezra Shaw: Getty Images

The lead researcher of an Indigenous education review in the Northern Territory says it will take at least ten years to implement measures and strategies needed to bring standards up to international levels.

A draft report says Indigenous schoolchildren are worse off than in the last review in 1999.

It says Year Three Indigenous students in remote Territory schools are two years behind their counterparts in other rural areas around Australia.

By Year Nine, this increases to five years.

Researcher Bruce Wilson suggests a 10-year strategic plan, which includes teaching the curriculum in remote schools in English and moving secondary students to towns.

"When they see young people being successful in secondary school and going on to worthwhile employment, most people will think that is not a bad idea," he said.

He says it will take at least 25 years to ensure the changes are made at a cultural level.